I am writing to thank the Castlegar Rebels and their coach Steve Junker for going “above the call of duty” and providing the most exciting hockey season our area has in years.

I don’t know if most people in our area are aware that this year the Rebels set a record for having the most points in a season. The Rebels won the Neil Murdoch Division this year and it has been 15 years since the team reached this level of playoff success. Although they came up a bit short in a hard-fought league final, they have every reason to be proud of their season!

Most importantly to my family was the kindness they showed to our daughter Madeline, 9, who was nailed by a runaway puck at a game against the Fernie Ghostriders. After the tears and help from local paramedics she couldn’t find the puck to keep as proof of her “love” of the sport. (Until this happened, she put up with hockey because of her brother in PeeWee.) She was inconsolable. Steve Junker and the Rebels heard about this and delivered a Rebels T-shirt to her, fully signed by the team.

Thanks guys for a great year and going the extra mile. See you next year!